You are here

AdvaMed Statement on Senate HELP Innovation Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – JC Scott, senior executive vice president of government affairs for the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), issued the following statement today on the Senate HELP Committee’s hearing on “Continuing America’s Leadership: Advancing Research and Development for Patients”:

“AdvaMed would like to thank the members of the Senate HELP Committee for holding this important hearing on what needs to be done to ensure America’s continued leadership in medical innovation. We also thank AdvaMed Board member Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences, for addressing the committee on behalf of the association and for sharing his insights on how to address the challenges facing the U.S. innovation ecosystem.

“The medical technology industry strongly supports the HELP Committee’s innovation initiative and the complementary 21st Century Cures initiative spearheaded by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. We share the goal of both of these efforts to take a comprehensive approach to speeding the development and delivery of new health care treatments and cures in the U.S.

“These efforts are crucial because while America is still the world leader in medical innovation, that leadership is under stress in a number of areas – regulatory, reimbursement, taxes, trade and R&D investment. These challenges are making it increasingly difficult for medical technology companies to develop and manufacture their products here, which means fewer American jobs and American patients having to wait longer to benefit from next-generation medical advancements.

“We believe there are numerous opportunities that will help promote America’s continued leadership in medical innovation. AdvaMed’s recently released Innovation Agenda details a number of policy proposals that, if enacted, will unleash the potential of medical technology to extend and improve lives, reduce the cost and burden of disease, and maintain and enhance U.S. scientific and economic leadership.

“We look forward to working with the members of the HELP Committee, their House colleagues, the administration and other stakeholders to develop policy solutions to better support medical innovation in the U.S.”

A copy of Mr. Mussallem’s remarks to the Committee are available here.

###

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.